Thursday, July 9, 2009

A Matter of Perspective

On my way home from work yesterday I stopped at the local farm stand for fresh lettuce. They had it right inside the door and the gal said it had just been picked. I grabbed one of those plastic store bags (you know, the ones we aren't supposed to use) and thought I would stuff three different kinds in one bag so as not to waste plastic and make my summer salad mix. I thought there were several bunches of romaine sitting on top of the pile, but when I went to take one, it was just one bunch! It was so huge that I could barely cram it into the plastic bag! I said to the checker it must be on steroids - LOL! The next bunch I grabbed was a red leaf and it was just as big, but not quite as heavy as the romaine! Two were enough for me - the third variety could wait until next time!Look below....I tried to get some perspective on their size for you by placing an enormous cantaloupe between them, but I'm not sure you can tell just how large they are! (Sorry for the shadow, it was late afternoon)

Here is a slightly different view....the bananas are also oversized! I got on the scale with the Romaine - it weighed 4 pounds (I won't tell you what I weighed)!Below are three of the six one-gallon bags of lettuce (stuffed full) that I got out of the two heads, which cost a total of $2.50! For six, 5 oz bags of lettuce at the grocery store I would have paid about $22.00!! And mine will last much longer than the store lettuce! I almost forgot to show you a photo of the completed new "beach" at the Squash House! The garbage can won't be there permanently - it normally goes behind the fence. I had to stand in the shade of the dogwoods as it was nearly 100 degress when I took the photo!Click on the photo below for a larger picture of the flag we found in the laundry room stuffed behind the furnace! What a bonus!

21 comments:

Everything is looking great. I can't believe the size of that lettuce!! I'd definitely eat more produce if I could get bargains like that. I'm paying over $1.00 for an itty bitty head in the grocery store. I'm still laughing that you call this your "beach!" Love it! Oh, and great score on the flag!

That's one of the reasons why I don't plant a vegetable garden anymore, Candace. We have a farmer's market in our little town every Saturday morning that is a hop, skip and jump from out house. The quality of fresh produce is second to none and the prices are phenominal. I'd rather give them the business at this stage of the game and plant flowers. I think I'm getting old. (wink)

Hi Candace--I was blog hopping from A Simple Girls blog that I follow and found you--love that lettuce--I have a farmer's mkt here nearby on Friday afternoon's--it's nice--but our prices are a little higher--but it's really good food!! I want to know how long now will the lettuce stay fresh in your bags???? I hate washing up enough for just one meal for me every day--would rather do it all to once like the way you did--have a great day, hugs, just, Di

Man that lettuce is sooo pretty Candace! I REALLY must try to make it to the farmer's market this weekend! My husband will be in Portland for the weekend so maybe it will be easier to get out the door. Your beach is really lovely!

You were kidding about the size of that lettuce and to get three full bags of salad! I'm seriously getting ripped off at the grocery store.Ah...home sweet home photos....got to love it! And YOUR beach.

It is so fun to go through the posts I've missed and see what the Squash House is up to. The lettuce is amazing. I guess it hit me with the bananas more than the melon. So funny that it was so huge! ANd beautiful. We had a little fruit/veg stand open on the way to work here and they don't have much yet but they will. I plan on trying to use them. We have a garden this year too but due to Mr. Hive's extended work schedule 7-9 seriously - it is full of weeds! I don't like yard work.